LEKKI PHASE 1 ROBBERY: Slain Fish Hawker Buried In Ikoyi [PICTURED]

Yesterday
[Mar. 23], relatives, friends and teachers of Sarah Ibikunke, the 15-year-old
basic three pupil, who was shot dead by a gang of robbers in the Lekki Phase 1,
Lagos State, gathered to give her their last respect. Sympathisers spoke
glowingly about the teenager, who had longed to become a lawyer, as she was
laid to rest at the Ikoyi Cemetery.

The
bandits, said to be in military uniforms, had on March 12 laid siege to a
branch of First Monument Bank Limited on Admiralty Way, firing guns
indiscriminately. In the process, three cops among a police team escorting a
bus belonging to an oil company were killed, while Sarah, who was hawking fish
around the area, was hit by stray bullets.

The late Sarah Ibikunke

Sarah’s
class teacher in Itedo Primary School, Mr. Adebayo Moses, described her as a
brilliant and well-behaved pupil. He said, “She was quite brilliant; not
troublesome, accommodating and friendly. Her death is very painful.” The matron
of the school, Mrs. Dorcas Ogundare, said Sarah’s character attracted love to
her from all staff members.

“The
last day she was in school, she came a bit late and I joked with her that she
would wash toilets. She just smiled and I told her to rush to the class. She was
a child to all of us and had a bright future,” she said.

The
victim’s schoolmate, Inidara Friday, said he was astonished by her attitude in
school on Wednesday, a day before the incident. He said, “She was gentle. She
did not play around like other pupils. But that day, she played a lot with her
friends. I was surprised to see her in such mood; may her soul rest in peace.”

Sarah’s
aunt Mrs. Omolafe, appreciated those who stood by the family while they grieved
the loss of their loved one. She said, “The following day it was published that
we needed N100,000 to collect Sarah’s corpse, a pastor came and gave us the
money. I also thank people who have been coming to sympathise with us. This
kind of incident shall not be your portion.”